Chanenchuk, Terps Scrap Back to Beat Cornell, 8-7

Maryland’s Mike Chanenchuk scored the game-winning goal with two seconds remaining in regulation to give the Terrapins an 8-7 victory over Cornell on Saturday at Byrd Stadium. The Terps now move on to play either Bryant or Syracuse in the NCAA quarterfinals next weekend.

The last-second goal by Chanenchuk topped off a huge comeback by the Terrapins. Down 5-1 at halftime, Maryland rallied to outscore the Big Red 7-2 in the final two quarters.

“I think everybody was just a little bit frustrated,” said Maryland coach John Tillman on his team’s performance in the first half, in which they shot a woeful 1-for-18. “I don’t want to take anything away from Cornell – they took it to us. We just didn’t play our best half.”

But adjustments across the field led to the Terps big second-half rally. Charlie Raffa went 8-for-10 at the face-off X in the second half, and the Terps collected 17 groundballs to Cornell's 10. Goran Murray, who was beaten by isolation dodges against Matt Donovan three times in the first half, picked up his play and limited Donovan to just an assist in the second half.

Also keying the comeback were two members of the Terps freshman class: Matt Rambo and Connor Cannizzaro. Rambo scored three goals and Cannizzaro scored two, including the game-tying goal with 8:12 remaining in the game.

Tied at 7 with :53 and with the Terps in possession, Maryland coach John Tillman called timeout to organize a play and hold for the last second shot. Coming out of the break, the Terps went to work at the 30-second mark when the officials called the timer-on. But Chanencuk mishandled a pass at about the :12 second mark. In the ensuing scrum, Chanenchuk emerged with a key groundball and Tillman used his final timeout with :09 left on the clock.

Play resumed with the ball in the stick of Henry West. He immediately ran towards the cage and passed across the crease to Chanenchuk, who rifled the ball past Cornell goalie Christian Knight, giving Maryland their first lead of the game with just two seconds left on the clock.

“We knew didn’t have a lot time,” said Tillman on situation with nine seconds left. “We thought Henry might have a short stick…If they didn’t slide, then Henry was going to shoot it. If they did, we were going to look for an inside look or a through look.”

“I kind of just knew that the clock was winding down,” said Chanenchuk on his shot that sealed the win. “I know for a goalie, I know Niko would say it’s the most difficult when the ball is swinging all the way across, so I just thought if I catch it and get it off quick, I was going to have the advantage on the goalie. I guess I got a little lucky there.”

Donovan was the star of the Big Red’s offense, netting a first half trick. John Hogan, Dan Litner, Connor Buczek, and Mike O’Neill rounded out the Cornell scorers with one goal each.

The comeback loss left the Cornell locker room emotional, especially after an adversity filled year in which Ben DeLuca was let go before the beginning of the season after a hazing scandal led to the cancellation of the team's fall events.

“This is has been a very difficult year for me and for everyone in that locker room,” said Donovan. “When you go through adversity, I think you learn a lot. I’ve known we’ve grown up. I’m just proud and honored to be part of Cornell lacrosse.”

Christian Knight, the freshman goalkeeper for Cornell, shined in the loss, racking up 13 saves. Maryland’s Niko Amato had a solid game in cage as well, netting eight saves and making the defensive adjustments that limited the Big Red to just two goals in the final 30 minutes. Jay Carlson picked up a goal for the Terps off the bench, and Chanenchuk’s game-winning goal was his second of the day. Chanenchuk played the game despite being nagged by an ankle injury.

“Michael Chanenchuk showed so much courage today,” said Tillman. “It wasn’t an easy matchup for him. He’s been hobbled a little bit. But to come out and pick up that tough groundball with nine seconds left and fittingly get the last goal. It’s really so much of what this team – grinding and fighting…We’re excited to have another week together.”